FRAMINGHAM - Public safety officials announced plans for stepped up security measures at the 2014 Boston Marathon at a joint press conference with marathon organizers on Monday.

There will be a significant increase in the public safety presence across the entire route this year but organizers say that they are doing everything they can to maintain the atmosphere of the race.

A bulked-up public safety presence will be particularly noticeable at the start and finish lines of the race, as well as in popular spectator areas.

"We are confident that the overall experience with runners and spectators will not be impacted and all will enjoy a fun, festive and family-oriented day," said Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency Director Kurt Schwartz.

A stepped-up video surveillance and bag inspection effort is planned for the event. Spectators are strongly discouraged from bringing over the shoulder bags or backpacks to any spot along the 26.2 mile route. Searches at screening points are likely according to officials and could lead to long delays at entry points. Spectators are advised to bring all their personal items to the racecourse in a clear plastic bag similar to one they would use for passing through airport security screening checkpoints.

An enhanced video surveillance program will be in place along the racecourse. The plan includes the deployment of the portable surveillance cameras that were first used at the 2013 Independence Day celebration on the Boston Esplanade. Private businesses along the course have been contacted about possible involvement in the security plan but due to the broad variation in the types of private security cameras along the route it is unknown how many will actually be used live instead of post-marathon.

Officials hold a news conference regarding security measures for the upcoming Boston Marathon in Framingham, Mass., Monday, March 10, 2014. Spectators are strongly discouraged from bringing backpacks, coolers and other large items, and instead are urged to carry belongings in clear plastic bags like those being given to runners to stow their gear. At least 3,500 police officers will be spread across the eight cities and towns that make up the marathon route on April 21, more than double the number from last year. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

"We are really focused on prevention, the best thing we can do is prevent something bad from happening," said Schwartz.

FBI officials say they do not currently have any intelligence that indicates there is a threat to this year's marathon.

"At this time have no specific intelligence indicating that there is a threat to this year's marathon but again we have to look at the nature of that threat around the world," said FBI Special Agent Kieran Ramsey.

Over 3,500 uniformed and plainclothes police officers are expected to line the route of the racecourse. The increased presence though is not meant to deter people from attending the race.

"We are encouraging people to come down. Both the mayor and the police commissioner have asked people to come down to Boylston Street, come to the businesses down there and show your support for the marathon runners," said Boston Police Deputy Superintendent William Ridge.

Runners without bibs, commonly referred to as bandit runners, will not be tolerated at any point along the route. "It's common sense that people refrain from getting out on the course if they're not authorized," said Schwartz.

The long standing tradition of running the marathon without a bib is frowned upon by the official organizers, the Boston Athletic Association. BAA Executive Director Thomas Grilk said the practice has greatly diminished in popularity in recent years.

"We're asking everyone to be cooperative," said Grilk.

Official runners along the route have been limited to fanny packs and water belts. No backpacks will be allowed at the starting line. Runners will not be allowed to send family or friends to pick up numbers this year like they have in previous years.

Public safety officials said that they have learned much about how to handle large public events like this since the Boston Marathon bombing. The Independence Day celebration on the Esplanade was seen by many as a testing ground for new safety procedures post-bombing.

Colonel Timothy Alben said he brought his family to last year's Esplanade celebration and that he would most certainly bring them to the Boston Marathon this year.

"You hear this all the time: 'Government would be happy if people stayed home.' That's not true. This is our opportunity to show our resilience, our fortitude, to look at terrorism and say you know what 'We're stronger than that,'" said Alben.

The 2013 Boston Marathon was subject to a terrorist attack with two bombs near the finish line. Three people died and 264 were injured in the immediate aftermath.

Days later, the alleged bombers in the attack, brothers Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, allegedly shot and killed an MIT Police Officer Sean Collier before leading police on a wild shootout across Boston, Cambridge, and Watertown. Tamerlan was killed in the shootout while Dzhokhar was apprehended by police after hiding for hours in a boat in a Watertown backyard.

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is currently awaiting the start of his federal trial.